THE effects of climate change could hinder sea snails’ extraordinary ability to leap away from predators on one foot, Queensland researchers have found.
The study shows conch snails, found in sandy areas off coral reefs, find it difficult to quickly jump out of reach of prey when exposed to higher levels of carbon dioxide.
Lead researcher Dr Sue-Ann Watson of James Cook University says the chemical disrupts the snail’s neurotransmitter receptor, causing it to have a delayed response.
The snail either stops jumping or takes longer to jump when exposed to the levels of carbon dioxide projected for the end of this century, the marine biologist says.
This leaves the three to four centimetre snail more vulnerable to the poisonous dart of its slow-moving nemesis, the cone shell.
“Snails normally move slowly and crawl around on their one big foot,” Dr Watson told AAP.
